The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-10-01

/ ing of the Association. 1t is enclosed and
slated, and ready for plastering. 1t will
be neat and commodious, and when CON-
pleted, the dedication services will be q
good opening for the winters campaign.
The annual meeting OF the Winchester
Association, held at Westville, Septem-
Der 1918, was not large meeting, in at
tendance, but was grand success In
other respects. The churches represent
ed were Westville, Woodstock, Alder
Chapel and PLAN City, and the ministers
present were Reve. E. Moore, J. FL.
Blackford and the writer. Sermons were
delivered as follows: Rev. E. Moore on
Saturday and Sabbath mornings; Rev.
J. Fl. Blackford, Sunday evening, and by
the writer Friday and Saturday evenings.
The Conference meetings on Friday af-
ternoon and Saturday morning were sea-
sons of great Joy. At the meeting on
Friday afternoon the front pew was occu-
pied by several brethren, no one being
under sixty years OF age, and the Oldest
being within a few weeks Of ninety years.
1t was grand sight, and their testimony
in behalf OF Universalsm to sustain amid
life's trials, and to afford hope for the
future, was grander still. Friday after
noon was devoted to discussion of ques-
tions published in the program: l. "How
shall we increase the local efficiency OF
T. Ill L 1fxr xyrtkr
ally inherent in the philosophy OF the
Universalist faith, as transforming
power, comprehended and used for its
highest purpose and to the best advan.
tage in our pulpit and Sunday school
teaching?" Rev. J. Fl. Blackboard opened
the discussion of the first question. The
chief thought presented was that the OBJ
ject desired would be most certainly ef-
fected by cultivating strong and active
love for the church. Others followed in
the same line OF thought. The second
question was opened by the writer, who
urged strict adherence to the presenta-
ton of Universalism as taught by Jesus
and the apostles. Rev. E. Moore and
others spoke earnestly in behalf OF main
tanning the teachings of the historical
Christ.
The Sabbath services began with an
interesting Sunda5-school meeting. At
1920 the occasional sermon was delivered
by Rev E. Moore, after which the Lords
Supper was celebrated. The closing SER
mon was delivered Sunday evening by
Rev. Mr.. Blackboard.
The following are the officers of the
Association for the ensuing year: Presi-
dent, j. w. Henley; Vice-president, Jae.
E. Vincent; Secretary, s. barrow, and
Treasurer, w. D. Sibley. Woodstock,
was selected as the next place OF meeting.
The Westville brethren were much dis
appointed in not having larger number
of visitors to entertain, but those who
we're there are loud in their praises of the
hospitality of that generous people.
Attend Our Meetings.
We observe with regret an increasing
tendency on the part of many Univers-
alists to give the preference to meetings
Of various kinds, other than their own
church gatherings, local or otherwise.
II we are to exert the moral and reform
ing force in the world that our faith de
mands we should, next to our homes
our church and it's work should have our
warmest love and lost earnest efforts
We have never felt the antagonisms OF
Partialists half as much as opposing
forces as we do the cruel Indifference and
neglect of duty, by those who are recog-
nized as Universalists. The conduct of
many Universslists gives plausible au-
thority to our enemies, to charge our
doctrines with fostering that worst form
of infdelity-neglect of sacred things.
We are experiencing much difficulty
in collecting the smaller subscriptions to
the Permanent Fund. During the lat
few weeks we have sent notices to large
number of subscribers; but the responses
have been in no way proportionate.
We learned recently of a gross act
of injustice toward minister. He was
called to attend a funeral, and his ex-
penses were five dollars. After the SER
vices we're over, the person most inter-
ested, who was well able to make salts
factory compensation, handed the minis
ter one dollar. If the minister had pro.
tested against such injustice, he would
have been accused of preaching for
money" In our judgment, no family
should call for and accept the services of
minister on such occasions, without
some pecunisry acknowledgment, if at
all able to do so.
MICHIGAN.